Brands Hatch: Alstare Suzuki preview

NEW TERRITORY FOR MAX.
The tenth round of this year's Superbike World Championship takes place
at one of the best-loved circuits on the calendar - Brands Hatch. The
unique bowl-like setting in the heart of the Kent countryside always
provides ...

NEW TERRITORY FOR MAX.

The tenth round of this year's Superbike World Championship takes place
at one of the best-loved circuits on the calendar - Brands Hatch. The
unique bowl-like setting in the heart of the Kent countryside always
provides spectacular racing and the closeness of the fans means an
atmosphere second to none. Brands has witnessed crowds of over 100,000 in
the past and once again a huge crowd is expected this weekend, with many
fans ready to cheer for a home win for series leader James Toseland.
For Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Max Biaggi, the Brands Hatch
round will be a testing occasion because he has not raced at the track
before. The many 'blind' approaches to corners and undulating nature
are not easy to learn and Max will have to compete against rivals who all
have previous knowledge of the 3.703 kilometre circuit. One of his
rivals, is his team mate Yukio Kagayama. The Japanese rider has ridden
the track both in World Superbike and also British Superbike events and
knows that it is a track like no other. Yukio arrives at Brands Hatch
full of confidence after winning the prestigious Suzuka 8 hour race last
weekend in Japan and the previous month has seen an upturn in both his
fortunes and confidence.

Max

It's true that I've not raced at Brands Hatch before, but I have seen
it on TV and video and know that it is something very different. I
understand that it is also one of those tracks where the fans can get
really close to the action and if the crowd is a big one then the noise
they make can be heard inside your helmet. I know that Brands has some
tricky corners, some with blind approaches, and that circuit knowledge is
very important, but I learn tracks pretty quickly and I think I can do
well as long as we can get a good bike set-up for raceday. After all,
when the lights change at the start of the race, it's the same for
everybody and racing is what I like best. I am not sure how the races
are going to be, but I can tell you that I will be giving my best - as
usual - and trying to get on the podium. It was really good to get a win
and another podium in the last round in Brno and I want to carry on
getting podiums at Brands and the rest of the season.

Yukio

Since Misano, I have become much happier with my bike and I have a good
feeling with it now. After a long time, I now find it easier to
understand the bike's limit. Before, I did not - and that was a scary
feeling. My win in Suzuka last weekend was a very special feeling and one
that I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life. It is hard to
understand how big and important this race is for the manufacturers and
fans and to win it is an amazing feeling. But now, it's back to work and
Brands Hatch. This track is not so easy and the more you ride it the
more you learn. Last year, my results were so-so, but I am hoping for
better results - and maybe podiums this year. This will not be easy, but
this is what I want and this is what I will try to do.